Review: By Any Other Name

Title: By Any Other Name

Author: Jodi Picoult

Publisher: 20th August 2024 by Allen & Unwin

Pages: 528 pages

Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Historical Fiction | Contemporary | Feminism

Rating: 5 cups

Synopsis:

From the New York Times bestselling co-author of Mad Honey comes an “inspiring” (Elle) novel about two women, centuries apart—one of whom is the real author of Shakespeare’s plays—who are both forced to hide behind another name.

Young playwright Melina Green has just written a new work inspired by the life of her Elizabethan ancestor Emilia Bassano. But seeing it performed is unlikely, in a theater world where the playing field isn’t level for women. As Melina wonders if she dares risk failure again, her best friend takes the decision out of her hands and submits the play to a festival under a male pseudonym.

In 1581, young Emilia Bassano is a ward of English aristocrats. Her lessons on languages, history, and writing have endowed her with a sharp wit and a gift for storytelling, but like most women of her day, she is allowed no voice of her own. Forced to become a mistress to the Lord Chamberlain, who oversees all theatre productions in England, Emilia sees firsthand how the words of playwrights can move an audience. She begins to form a plan to secretly bring a play of her own to the stage—by paying an actor named William Shakespeare to front her work.

Told in intertwining timelines, By Any Other Name, a sweeping tale of ambition, courage, and desire centers two women who are determined to create something beautiful despite the prejudices they face. Should a writer do whatever it takes to see her story live on . . . no matter the cost? This remarkable novel, rooted in primary historical sources, ensures the name Emilia Bassano will no longer be forgotten.

My Thoughts

‘What do you say when you know your words will be your last? I was here. I mattered.’

I have long wanted to read a Jodi Picoult book and if By Any Other Name is an indication of her writing …. boy have I been missing out! What a read! This will easily be one of my top picks for 2024! Her blend of historical fiction and powerful feminism in both timelines was mind blowing. 

‘There was such magic in language. It could bring you to tears, pull you to the edge of your seat, make you sigh with relief. It could draw you out of the world when you needed to escape, and at other times hold up a looking glass to the world as it was.’

This is the story of two talented women from different eras but who face the same prejudices - they both hide behind someone else’s name in order for their work to be recognised. Yes, you read correctly, seemingly so little change from Elizabethan days to today - the same obstacles presenting themselves. The issues women face both then and now is front and centre in this amazing book. I admired both narratives. 

‘Emilia Bassano deserved to be more than a footnote in someone else’s history.’

Then there are the issues concerning William Shakespeare and whether he was capable (there is considerable evidence to suggest otherwise) of being the author of all his written works. The fact that in Jodi’s Endnotes, she predicts that she will receive much hate mail regarding this book is incredulous.  ‘For years we have been given a version of Shakespeare’s work through a patriarchal lens and it’s hard to unlearn that.’ “History,” she said, “is written by those in power … and when it came to history, absence of evidence was not evidence of absence.’

“I cannot write a play, Kit.” “You cannot put your name on a play. That is not the same thing.”

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It’s a great story, a long one but well worth the journey if you open both your heart and mind. It is so well constructed, it took my breath away. 

“Even the villains are the heroes of their own stories,” she said. “I do not know what that means,” Henry said, frowning. Emilia turned to him. “It means there is nothing either good or bad,” she said softly. “But thinking makes it so.”

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: The Book of Beginnings

Title: The Book of Beginnings

Author: Sally Page

Publisher: 28th September 2023 by HarperCollins UK

Pages: 384 pages

Genre: contemporary fiction

My Rating: 4 cups

Synopsis:

From the author of the phenomenal bestseller The Keeper of Stories, comes the next uplifting story of how the most unexpected friendships are forged in the most unlikely of places . . .

Jo Sorsby knows she is hiding from her past when she steps in to look after her uncle’s stationery shop. Glimpsing the lives of her customers between the warm wooden shelves, as they scribble notes with fountain pens and browse colourful notebooks, distracts her from the life she has left behind.

Yet far from home, Jo feels adrift . . .

When she meets Ruth, a vicar running from a secret, and Malcolm, a septuagenarian struggling to write his first book, she realises that she isn’t alone.

It’s the beginning of a friendship that can transform Jo’s life . . . if only she can let them in.

My Thoughts

Following on from Sally’s sensational book, The Keeper of Stories (which I just adored) comes another heartfelt and endearing tale about friendships and new beginnings.

‘It also occurs to her that when you feel most in need of new friends, is often the time when you feel least capable of making them.’

This book is a gentle story around the themes of friendship, loneliness and a search for meaning. Yet, at its heart, it's all about forms of friendship - new friends, lost friends, reconnecting with friends, finding friends in unexpected places. It’s about what it takes to both develop and maintain those friendships particularly when people may be feeling sad or alone. How it is important to see others, reach out to others and trust others especially in the world we face today. This book is like a warm drink on a cold night and will more than likely remind you to check up on your very own friends. 

‘You have made me feel that I should do things differently in my life. That I should be braver. I cannot thank you enough for what I hope isn’t presumptuous to call our friendship.’

There is also a story within this story. The trips to the Highgate Cemetery are both eventful and enlightening. Interesting inclusions of facts and imagined conversations between historical figures found in the cemetery help to highlight a range of topics as well. Sally undertook a substantial amount of research on this. 

‘I think of it sometimes; all over the earth there are these unacknowledged love stories, making the world a better place. I personally think it is one of humanity’s best-kept secrets.’

The Book of Beginnings is a slow, gentle read that delves deep into all aspects of friendships with moments of loneliness and grief components that can accompany it at varying stages. Not quite in the same league as The Keeper of Stories but still a solid read. 

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: The Work Wives

Title: The Work Wives

Author: Rachael Johns

Publisher: 3rd November 2022 by Harlequin Australia, HQ & MIRA

Pages: 528 pages

Genre: contemporary

My Rating: 3 cups

Synopsis:

How well do you really know the people you work with?

For work wives Debra and Quinn, it's a case of opposites attract. They are each other's lifelines as they navigate office politics and jobs that pay the bills but don't inspire them.

Outside work, they are also friends, but where Quinn is addicted to dating apps and desperate to find love, Deb has sworn off men. Although Deb is not close to her own mother, her teenage daughter is her life and there's nothing she wouldn't do to protect her. But Ramona has other ideas and is beginning to push boundaries.

Life becomes even more complicated by the arrival of a new man at the office. One woman is attracted to him, while the other hoped she'd never meet him again.

But when Deb, Quinn and Ramona are forced to choose between friends, love and family, the ramifications run deeper than they could ever have expected.

The latest novel by bestselling, ABIA award winning author Rachael Johns will make you laugh, cry and wonder what secrets your friends are keeping!

My Thoughts

‘… why am I wasting my Friday night with this nice but boring, tennis obsessed man, when I could be with my work wife? So here I am.’

The Work Wives  is the latest offering by Aussie favourite Rachel Johns. A story of two friends, one with a daughter, and the impact of secrets. So, there are three first person narratives (one of them being a teen perspective) and this, along with the fact that I expected a story to be revolving around workplace situations, proved not to be quite the read I was expecting. 

I have read and enjoyed many of Rachel’s books but I came away a little disappointed with this one. Whilst I appreciated the overall storyline - two working women and how their friendship provides support through life’s ups and downs - I felt there were a few things that I could not reconcile. There were many themes in this story (bullying, abuse, domestic violence, aging, alzhimers, teen peer pressure, single parenting, online dating, emotional manipulation …. the list goes on) most of which were dependent upon seemingly contrived coincidences. This was a long read and I would have preferred fewer themes dealt with in greater depth. For example, themes of school bullying and domestic violence need to be sensitively and adequately presented. 

I am a long time supporter of Rachel, especially her rural romances, but I found this book did not quite hit the spot for me. Many of her fans are sure to love it, however, I felt too much was undertaken and, despite the book’s length, failed to be appropriately addressed. With a mixture of dark and light themes, The Work Wives is sure to speak to many readers. 

‘That’s what friends are for.’ Deb lifted her glass. ‘Amen. To friendship.’ They clinked and Quinn added, ‘And many, many, many years of it to come.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: Terms of Inheritance

Title: Terms of Inheritance

Author: Michelle Upton

Publisher: 30th November 2022 by HarperCollins Australia

Pages: 350 pages

Genre: contemporary

My Rating: 5 cups

Synopsis:

Four sisters. A vast fortune. And a mother who thinks she knows best ...

Where there's a will, there's a way.

A funny, poignant, brilliantly observed story about letting go of the past.

When multi-millionaire Jacki Turner is forced to take stock of her life, she sets her daughters a challenge - in order to inherit her vast fortune, each must fulfil a task that she believes will push them to become better versions of themselves.

Rose, an exhausted mother of three, must write and publish a children's picture book. Exercise-hater Mel must run the Gold Coast marathon. Isla, the eldest, must figure out who she is beyond her wealth and status, while commitment-phobic Jess must stay in a relationship for longer than three months.

For each, Jacki's terms seem an impossible task, bringing painful wounds to the surface and straining tenuous relationships. But when the sisters are faced with an unexpected turn of events, they must learn how to move forward and forgive, or risk losing it all.

My Thoughts

I can’t begin to tell you just how much I enjoyed Michelle’s book! It came as such a fantastic surprise - the more I got into it, the more difficult it became to put down. I found it to be the perfect blend of reality and life lessons with a splash of humour. Terms of Inheritance is a book I would highly recommend and couldn’t wait to share with friends. 

‘And so, in a last-ditch attempt to be the best mother I can be, there will be conditions on the inheritance of my fortune. You'll each have one year to complete the task I've set for you. Each task has been designed for you alone, to push you to be the best version of yourself. Should any of you fail, you will all fail, and my vast fortune will be left to Aussie Animal Rescue.’

A story about five women, Jacki the wealthy family matriarch, who sets challenges for her daughters in order for them to inherit her fortune. With the aim to make them better people, all four siblings must complete the tasks in order to inherit. The eldest, Isla must do some soul searching beyond her current wealth; Rose, a busy mother, must write a children’s book; Mel must complete a marathon; and Jess needs to stay in a relationship for longer than three months. 

‘Just because you're ticking all the boxes doesn't mean there's nothing missing. Mum gave us these conditions for a reason - maybe you should think about what that reason is.’

In my interview with Michelle (see the blog) she wrote how writing Terms of Inheritance allowed her to reflect on the many lessons she had learnt from life and the growth that ensued. I actually loved each of the women equally and the journey of growth they went on through both the internal and external challenges - even Jackie’s. 

‘I want you to be pushed out of your comfort zone. I want you to question what it is you really care about. I want you to ask yourselves: who are you right now, and who is it you want to be? … You need to question everything you're doing so you can make changes now, before it's too late. I don't want you to get to the end of your life and have regrets.’

There is just so much to takeaway from this book on how families, despite all the love, can be the most complicated and challenging of relationships. Yet, for me however, Michelle’s tale spoke loudly about stepping out of your comfort zone in order to experience real growth. That you have to let go of what you know in order for life to happen to you - challenge you, exhaust you, reward you. 

‘The tasks I’ve asked of you aren’t easy, but growing into your true self is supposed to be hard. That’s the point. The doubts, the missteps, they're part of the journey. The times you fail are the most important, because that's when you're broken open and where you really get the chance to move beyond what you thought was possible.’

This is a truly wonderful story - so real and relatable. A story of how people can show love in its many forms especially when it comes to families. That letting go, forgiving and moving on are crucial and that your life’s attitude can determine so much. Terms of Inheritance …. read it. You won’t regret it. 

‘We should make a toast to Mum.' 'You're right, said Isla, and she raised her glass. ‘To Mum, and her bloody terms of inheritance.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: The Book Haters' Book Club

Title: The Book Haters' Book Club

Author: Gretchen Anthony

Publisher: 13th September 2022 by HarperCollins Australia - Park Row

Pages: 328 pages

Genre: contemporary 

My Rating: 3 cups

Synopsis:

All it takes is the right book to turn a Book Hater into a Book Lover…

That was Elliott’s belief and the reason why he started The Book Haters’ Book Club - a newsletter of reading recommendations for the self-proclaimed “nonreader.” As the beloved co-owner of Over the Rainbow Bookstore, Elliott’s passion and gift was recommending books to customers. Now, after his sudden death, his grief-ridden business partner, Irma, has agreed to sell Over the Rainbow to a developer who will turn the cozy bookstore into high-rise condos.

But others won’t give up the bookstore without a fight. When Irma breaks the news to her daughters, Bree and Laney, and Elliott’s romantic partner, Thom, they are aghast. Over the Rainbow has been Bree and Laney’s sanctuary since childhood, and Thom would do anything to preserve Elliott’s legacy. Together, Thom, Bree and Laney conspire to save the bookstore, even if it takes some snooping, gossip and minor sabotage.

Filled with humor, family hijinks and actual reading recommendations, The Book Haters' Book Club is the ideal feel-good read. It’s a celebration of found family and a love letter to the everyday heroes who run bookstores.

My Thoughts

The Book Haters' Book Club had me at the title as books about books always lure me in. This particular story involves not just books but also a bookshop and the family drama that surrounds it. A quirky tale with a love of the written word woven throughout bringing it altogether. The title comes from Elliott's newsletter which provides book suggestions for people who are looking for inspiration or recommendations. 

‘The Book Haters' Book Club Newsletter

Issue #1

June 1989

Hello readers,

This is Elliot Gregory, daredevil bookseller at the Over the Rainbow Bookshop, here to announce a grand new endeavor: a monthly newsletter full of book recommendations for non-bookish people.’

There are many enjoyable aspects to this tale although it does take some time to lure you in. The ‘commercial breaks’ and ‘newsletters’ (I enjoyed Elliot’s narratives here) were amusing but the main focus is on the family and how our choices and decisions can change the direction of our lives. The story is told from a number of POV allowing a variety of alternatives as to how people deal with grief in their own unique way. I didn't love it as much as I had hoped. I feel the biggest issue surrounding this novel is pacing - just too slow, especially at the beginning. 

‘We book people can be awful, prickish snobs. Why is a yummy romance any less worthy of a reader's love than the latest New York literary sweetheart? I say if a certain type of book isn't your preferred cocktail, darling, simply put down the glass and order something new. You don't have to act as if you've been poisoned.’

The Book Haters' Book Club is a drama with some mystery. There are laughs (some slightly cheesy) with some rather quirky characters. All up it is lighthearted and of course, so very bookish! Elliot’s newsletters and the book recommendations are a definite highlight. This is the tale of a family, warts and all, and the different ways we handle grief, all wrapped up in the power of books to see you through the many ups and downs of life. 

‘That's the magic of being a bookseller: every day, you have the potential to change someone's life. It's true. It's why I spent my career trying to place brave characters into the hands of a person in need of courage; searched for stories that might bring light to those whose hearts were shared in darkness.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.